The established and successful Scottish Scandinavian Infectious Diseases (ID) conferences and travel health Societal events in individual Nordic countries, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and in the UK and Ireland, led to recognition of similarities in travel medicine practice. Common interests on the importance of travel medicine education between countries, and the value of combining two events led to the development of the Northern European Conference on Travel Medicine (NECTM).

The United Kingdom (UK) has been at the forefront of travel health services and a leader in recognising the importance of education for healthcare professionals advising travellers from the UK where nurses are the main providers of travel health advice, predominately, but not exclusively, in General Practice settings. Pharmacists are becoming more prominent in providing travel health services in many countries, including the UK.

In the NECTM Nordic partner countries travel medicine is more aligned to tropical medicine, where nurses occasionally administer vaccines but are less autonomous so unlikely to conduct a risk assessment or give advice to travellers.

Education at all levels is a key focus of NECTM and feedback has shown that nurse delegates gained valuable knowledge on current research and evidence to aid their practice. Practical interactive sessions, often delivered by nurses, are particularly appreciated. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) travel health forum, (now Public Health Forum (PHF)), was the first body in the world to develop guidance and competencies for nurses working in the field, a document since adopted by nurses in several countries. The fifth edition is currently under review.

The RCN was invited to join as a NECTM partner planning for NECTM1 in Edinburgh 2006. The host country rotates around the partner countries, the tenth anniversary NECTM10 2026 recently concluded in Belfast Northern Ireland. Although travel health events have increased since 2006, NECTM has not over expanded, has a loyal following and remains a favourite event for nurses who act as speakers, chairs and poster authors.

The established informal ‘Nurses Welcome’, provides a valuable networking opportunity for nurses from different countries and at all levels of practice. I have been fortunate to represent the RCN in each NECTM. Nurse involvement in travel health is applauded by other nurses whose health systems remain physician focussed. 

As a Royal College the RCN is also focussed on education and provides valuable support to practitioners striving for good standards in travel medicine practice. NECTM is only one good example of national and international collaboration for nurses in the field. Join us for NECTM11 in Rostock Germany in 2028, continue to support the RCN and enjoy discounted registration you won't be disappointed.